Alaska Extended Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
637 PM EDT Sat Jun 17 2023
Valid 12Z Wed Jun 21 2023 - 12Z Sun Jun 25 2023
...Guidance Evaluation/Preferences...
The 12 UTC GFS/ECMWF/CMC/UKMET and NAEFS/ECMWF ensemble mean
solutions seem even better clustered over the next week, albeit
with some day to day solution adjustments. Multi-model ensemble
spread has decreased, bolstering forecast confidence. Stream
energy phasing differences have eased from yesterday, especially
early in this period/next midweek. There is also a clear guidance
signal to shift the brunt of height falls/upper troughing
northward over the North Slope/Arctic Ocean next week. This now
supports of a stronger low/frontal system than continuity. A
composite blend with a slightly greater focus on the higher
resolution models still acts to maintain good WPC product
continuity with detail consistent with a pattern with above normal
predictability. Additional adjustments were manually applied to
offshore low pressure systems to ensure sufficient depth given
favorable upper support.
...Pattern Overview and Weather/Hazards Highlights...
Latest guidance trends now indicate that a strong closed
low/amplified trough aloft and surface focus to center over
Northwest Alaska and nearby Arctic Ocean over the next few days
should along with focus eject eastward into mid-later next week.
Expect northwest/western Alaska through the northern Interior and
Brooks Range/North Slope to the Arctic Ocean will experience
unsettled conditions to include multiple periods with locally
enhanced winds and precipitation.
Meanwhile farther south out from the westerlies, a leading closed
upper low and associated surface low/frontal system with deepened
moisture will linger mainly over/south of the Aleutians early next
week. The system will gradually work eastward into and then dig
over the Gulf of Alaska mid-later next week. Flow around the
system favors enhanced rainfall chances from the Aleutians and
Alaksan Peninsula/Kodiak Island out into South-Central, but may be
slow to work further eastward toward Southeast Alaska as shielded
by amplified eastern Gulf of Alaska to Interior to Southeast
Alaska upper ridging.
Upstream, a continued and highly energetic/active storm flow off
eastern Asia and the western Pacific will continue to churn up
additional low pressure systems to include deepened storm tracks
toward the Aleutians and southern Bering Sea as a maritime threat
next week to offer potential for high winds/waves and wrapping
rains. Impacts from the system are expected to work steadily
eastward toward southwest Alaska and underneath with additional
triple point low focus to the Alaska Peninsula/Kodiak Island and
South-Central late next week/weekend.
Schichtel
Additional 3-7 Day Hazard Information can be found on the WPC
medium range hazards outlook chart at:
https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/threats/threats.php
WPC medium range Alaskan products including 500mb, surface
fronts/pressures progs and sensible weather grids can also be
found at:
https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/alaska/ak_5dayfcst500_wbg.gif
https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/alaska/akmedr.shtml
https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/alaska/ak_5km_gridsbody.html